Adapter for hitch mounted sign

ABSTRACT

A sign mounting adapter system includes a hitch extension tube. A sign orientation post connected and oriented perpendicular to the hitch extension tube has a longitudinal axis. A sign support post is axially and rotatably received on the sign orientation post. The sign support post has a longitudinal axis co-axially aligned with the sign orientation post longitudinal axis, and a receiving bore perpendicular to the sign support post longitudinal axis. Multiple orientation bores extend through the sign orientation post, each oriented at a first angle to proximate orientation bores and perpendicular to the orientation post longitudinal axis. A retention assembly is releasably and co-axially received in the receiving bore and one of the orientation bores. The retention assembly releasably connects the sign support post to the sign orientation post to permit selection of a sign support post axial angle of rotation to the sign orientation post.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/441,783, filed on Feb. 11, 2011. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle trailer hitch mounted signsystems.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Vehicles such as trucks, pickup trucks, emergency vehicles andconstruction vehicles commonly are adapted to support a sign warningpassing vehicles of specific roadway conditions. These signs arecommonly used for temporary conditions that take the place of permanentroadway or highway signs. Because the vehicle needs to be moved betweendifferent locations, common vehicle sign support systems require thesign to be detached prior to vehicle travel. In addition, common signsupport systems that are adapted to be connected to a hitch mount of thevehicle are fixed in their orientation with respect to the vehicle, andtherefore are not always oriented at an optimum viewing angle for aperson in a passing or observer vehicle. For this reason, common warningsigns used in construction areas or emergency areas are removed from thevehicle and are free standing. This requires additional time to set upand disassemble the sign.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to several embodiments an adapter for a hitch mounted sign ofthe present disclosure includes a hitch extension tube. A signorientation post is connected to the hitch extension tube. A signsupport post is co-axially disposed on and rotatably supported by thesign orientation post to permit selection of an axial angle of rotationof the sign support post with respect to the sign orientation post.

According to other embodiments, a sign mounting adapter system includesa hitch extension tube. A sign orientation post is connected to andoriented perpendicular to the hitch extension tube, the sign orientationpost having a sign orientation post longitudinal axis. A sign supportpost is co-axially and rotatably received on the sign orientation post,the sign support post having a sign support post longitudinal axisco-axially aligned with the sign orientation post longitudinal axis anda retention assembly receiving bore oriented perpendicular to the signsupport post longitudinal axis. Multiple orientation bores extendingthrough the sign orientation post, individual ones oriented at a firstangle with respect to a proximate one of the orientation bores, and eachis oriented perpendicular to the orientation post longitudinal axis. Aretention assembly is releasably and co-axially received in theretention assembly receiving bore and one of the orientation bores. Theretention assembly releasably connects the sign support post to the signorientation post to permit selection of an axial angle of rotation ofthe sign support post with respect to the sign orientation post.

According to further embodiments, a sign mounting adapter systemincludes a hitch extension tube adapted for releasable connection to ahitch receiver of a vehicle. A sign orientation post is fixed to andoriented perpendicular to the hitch extension tube, the sign orientationpost having a sign orientation post longitudinal axis. A sign supportpost is co-axially and rotatably received on the sign orientation post.The sign support post has a sign support post longitudinal axisco-axially aligned with the sign orientation post longitudinal axis anda retention assembly receiving bore oriented perpendicular to the signsupport post longitudinal axis. Multiple orientation bores extendthrough the sign orientation post, individual ones of the orientationbores oriented at a first angle with respect to a proximate one of theorientation bores and each is oriented perpendicular to the orientationpost longitudinal axis. A retention assembly is releasably andco-axially received in the retention assembly receiving bore and one ofthe orientation bores. The retention assembly releasably connects thesign support post to the sign orientation post to permit selection of anaxial angle of rotation of the sign support post with respect to thesign orientation post. A sign is connected to the sign support post andis positioned in either a stowed or a deployed condition. In thedeployed condition a sign planar face is oriented at a second angle withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the hitch extension tube.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a right elevational perspective view of an adapter for a hitchmounted sign of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the sign of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the sign of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side cross sectional elevational view taken at section4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front left elevational perspective view of the sign of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of a vehicle having the sign of FIG. 1mounted thereto;

FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 6 having thesign in a fully deployed and retracted condition;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 6 having thesign in a fully deployed and extended condition;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the sign of FIG. 9 having the signin a first axially rotated condition;

FIG. 11 a rear elevational view of the sign of FIG. 9 having the sign ina second axially rotated condition;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional top plan view taken at section 12 of FIG.3;

FIG. 13 is an exploded left front perspective view of a furtherembodiment of an adapter for a hitch mounted sign of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of the adapter of FIG. 13 in anassembled condition;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the assembled adapter of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the assembled adapter of FIG. 14.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 1, a sign mounting adapter system 10 includes a signassembly 12 supported on a sign support post 14. According to severalembodiments, sign support post 14 is oriented vertically upward toprovide for a maximum extended height of sign assembly 12 to maximizevisibility of the sign supported thereby, for example by passengers ordrivers in vehicles passing construction or emergency sites. Signsupport post 14 is axially and rotatably supported on a sign orientationpost 16 and releasably retained at one of multiple orientation anglesusing a releasable retention assembly 18. Sign orientation post 16 isfixed in a perpendicular orientation with respect to a hitch extensiontube 20, which is sized to be slidably received in a hitch assembly, ascommonly known. For example, hitch extension tube 20 can be sized to beslidably received in a class 1, class 2, or class 3 hitch design.

Sign assembly 12 can include a sign frame 22, which can include a signsupport rod 23. At least one sign 24 made from a flexible material, suchas a polymeric material, is connected to sign frame 22 such that in thestowed condition, sign 24 will automatically fold and be retained withrespect to sign support post 14. Retention can be accomplished using astrap or similar item as a retention member 26. Retention member 26 isreleased to allow sign 24 to be extended from the stowed conditionshown. Sign frame 22 can be positioned having a plurality of extendableand retractable frame members 27 a, 27 b in a stowed condition as shown,or extended to a deployed condition, as will be described in betterdetail in reference to FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 2, sign mounting adapter system 10 can includeadditional members to permit a sign assembly minimum height “A” to bereached by downward sliding motion of sliding members provided with signsupport post 14. According to several embodiments, anextension/retraction post 28 can be slidably received within signsupport post 14 and positioned in the stowed position by extension of afirst detent member 30 provided with extension/retraction post 28slidably extending through sign support post 14 to retainextension/retraction post 28 in the stowed position. The stowed positionprovides for a major portion of a length of extension/retraction post 28to be slidably received within sign support post 14. First detent member30 can be pressed inwardly, with respect to sign support post 14, torelease extension/retraction post 28 for subsequent vertical extension.According to several embodiments, sign frame 22 can further include acenter post 32 having multiple component arms or features rotatablyconnected thereto. Extension or retraction of the members of sign frame22 is permitted by releasably moving a bias member 34 used to retainsign frame 22 in the stowed condition shown.

Hitch extension tube 20 can include an extension tube insertion end 36which is slidably received in a hitch receiver, shown and described withreference to FIG. 7. According to several embodiments, hitch extensiontube 20 is rectangular or square in shape and includes a rod receivingaperture 38 defining a through-bore with respect to hitch extension tube20 which slidably receives a hitch connecting rod to releasably engagehitch extension tube 20. A length of hitch extension tube 20 can bevaried to suit a space envelope of sign assembly 12 and a space enveloperequired for full extension or deployment of sign frame 22.

According to several embodiments, an extension tube free end 40 of hitchextension tube 20 has a post extension portion 42 of sign orientationpost 16 extending downwardly therefrom. A majority of a length of signorientation post 16 is positioned above hitch extension tube 20 as shownin FIG. 2. To fix the axial orientation of sign support post 14 withrespect to sign orientation post 16, a pin or similar retention member44 of releasable retention assembly 18 is slidably received through bothsign support post 14 and sign orientation post 16. According to severalembodiments, releasable retention assembly 18 can further include a balemember 46 which helps retain retention member 44 in its installedposition. A sign orientation post longitudinal axis 47 is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the orientation of hitch extension tube20.

Referring to FIG. 3 and again to FIG. 2, a sign support postlongitudinal axis 48 of sign support post 14 is co-axially aligned withsign orientation post longitudinal axis 47 when sign support post 14 isrotatably received on sign orientation post 16. To help retain signsupport post 14 at the desired axial rotation orientation with respectto sign orientation post 16, releasable retention assembly 18 furtherincludes a pin head 49, which is larger in diameter than a diameter ofretention member 44, to prevent further sliding displacement ofretention member 44 after extending through both sign support post 14and sign orientation post 16. Releasable retention assembly 18 furtherincludes a U-shaped bale body 50 having a bale connecting end 52 whichis positioned opposite to pin head 49 and is releasably engaged with thefree end of retention member 44 that extends through sign support post14. By assembly of releasable retention assembly 18 as shown, signsupport post 14 is releasably engaged to sign orientation post 16 andalso allows for ease of disassembly of the two posts.

Referring to FIG. 4, post extension portion 42, which extends belowhitch extension tube 20, can be fixed using a first weld joint 54. Anorientation post body portion 56, extending predominantly above hitchextension tube 20, is received within a hollow, tubular section of signsupport post 14. Orientation post body portion 56 can be fixed to hitchextension tube 20 using a second weld joint 58. The first detent member30 is biased in its outwardly extended position shown by the biasingforce of a detent biasing member 59 which is positioned withinextension/retraction post 28. Multiple orientation bores are created asthrough-bores proximate a free end of sign orientation post 16.According to several embodiments, a first, second, and third orientationbore 60, 62, 64 are created through sign orientation post 16 andoriented at predetermined angles with respect to each other. Forexample, an angle α representing an angular displacement between boreaxial centerlines of first and second orientation bores 60, 62 can rangefrom approximately 20 degrees to approximately 45 degrees. Angle α canbe repeated between any two successive ones of the orientation borescreated through sign orientation post 16. Angle α can also be more than45 degrees or less than 20 degrees when fewer than three orientationbores are used or when a quantity greater than three orientation boresis desired.

Sign frame 22 is releasably connected to sign support post 14 in thefollowing manner. A male post end 68 of sign frame 22 is sized to beslidably received within a similarly shaped bore of a hollow post end 70extending from sign support post 14. When male post end 68 is slidablyreceived within hollow post end 70, a releasable connection can becreated by the use of a second detent member 72 which is releasablyreceived in a detent member bore 74 of hollow post end 70. Through theuse of second detent member 72, sign frame 22 can be released from signsupport post 14 to individually stow sign frame 22, or to replace signframe 22 for a different sign application. Different sign applicationscan include signs having different surface areas, colors, messages, orthe like.

Referring to FIG. 6, sign mounting adapter system 10 is shown in anexemplary application by installation on a vehicle 76, such as a pickuptruck. In the stowed and retracted condition of sign 24, at least aportion of sign 24 is positioned below an upper tailgate surface 78 of atailgate 80 of vehicle 76. This position reduces wind resistance andtherefore reduces wind load created by sign 24 as vehicle 76 moves fromone location to another.

Referring to FIG. 7, the sign assembly minimum height “A” can be furthercontrolled by varying a length of sign support post 14 if it is furtherdesired to position sign assembly 12 completely below upper tailgatesurface 78 during transport of sign assembly 12. Hitch extension tube 20is shown in its installed position slidably received within a hitchreceiver 82 fixed to structure of vehicle 76. A hitch connecting rod 84is slidably received through both hitch receiver 82 and hitch extensiontube 20 to releasably connect hitch extension tube 20. If furtherdesired, a length of hitch extension tube 20 can be extended such thatclearance is provided between tailgate 80 and both sign assembly 12 andsign support post 14. This additional clearance can provide access forrotating tailgate 80 downward and away from its upright position shown,for access to materials in a bed or internal area of vehicle 76.

Referring to FIG. 8, sign 24 is shown in its fully deployed butnon-extended condition while connected to sign support post 14. In thisfully deployed but non-extended condition, a sign base 86 of sign 24 ispositioned below upper tailgate surface 78 of tailgate 80. At the fullydeployed but non-extended condition, sign 24 can be orientedsubstantially parallel to tailgate 80. Axial rotation of sign supportpost 14 rotating sign 24 away from the position parallel to tailgate 80may be restricted based on the length of hitch extension tube 20 due tocontact between sign 24 and tailgate 80.

Referring to FIG. 9, improved visibility of sign 24 can be provided byextending sign 24 vertically upward, as shown in FIG. 9, by axialextension of extension/retraction post 28. In the sign deployed andfully extended position shown, sign base 86 is positioned above uppertailgate surface 78 of tailgate 80. At this fully deployed and extendedcondition, sign 24 can also be axially rotated with respect to signsupport post longitudinal axis 48. A sign assembly extended height “B”is established having all or substantially all of sign 24 positionedabove upper tailgate surface 78.

Referring to FIG. 10 and again to FIG. 9, when sign mounting adaptersystem 10 is positioned having sign 24 in its fully deployed andextended condition, sign base 86 is positioned above upper tailgatesurface 78. Sign 24 can be rotated to control the angle of visibility tosign 24 from a person or observer in the area of sign 24 by axiallyrotating sign support post 14 with respect to sign support postlongitudinal axis 48. Retention member 44 is removed and re-aligned witha different one of the first, second, or third orientation bores 60, 62,64 shown and described with reference to FIG. 5. Retention member 44 isthen slidably replaced into the newly aligned ones of the orientationbore and pin receiving bore 66. In the exemplary embodiment shown, sign24 is rotated from the position parallel to the vehicle tailgate 80 in asign assembly first rotation direction “C”, which is counterclockwise asviewed in FIG. 10. This rotation reorients a sign planar face 90 of sign24 at an angle which better suits visibility by an observer of sign 24.

Referring to FIG. 11 and again to FIGS. 10 and 9, sign 24 can also beoppositely rotated in a sign assembly second rotation direction “D” withrespect to sign support post longitudinal axis 48. Again, retentionmember 44 is removed and sign support post 14 is axially rotated in thesign assembly second rotation direction “D”. Retention member 44 is thenreinserted to releasably retain the orientation of sign 24. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 11, sign assembly second rotation direction “D”is a clockwise direction and opposite to sign assembly first rotationdirection “C”, shown and described in reference to FIG. 10. With furtherreference to FIG. 5, sign 24 and sign support post 14 can also berotated to an additional angular degree in either the clockwise orcounterclockwise directions of sign assembly second or first rotationdirections “D”, “C” from either of the positions shown in FIG. 10 or 11,if the quantity of orientation bores created through sign orientationpost 16 permit. As shown in FIG. 11, the sign planar face 90 of sign 24is rotated to permit viewing by an observer positioned at a differentperspective angle with respect to the orientation shown and described inreference to FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 12 and again to FIGS. 8-11, retention member 44 isslidably received entirely through pin receiving bore 66 of sign supportpost 14 and through first orientation bore 60 of sign orientation post16. In this installed position of retention member 44, a post outer face92 of sign support post 14 is oriented perpendicular to an extensiontube longitudinal axis 94 of hitch extension tube 20. By removingretention member 44 and rotating sign support post clockwise as viewedin FIG. 12 to co-axially align a centerline of pin receiving bore 66with a centerline of second orientation bore 62 and then reinsertingretention member 44, post outer face 92 is rotated 22½ degrees clockwisefrom the position shown in FIG. 12. This corresponds to the orientationof sign 24 shown in FIG. 11. Similarly, by removing retention member 44and rotating sign support post clockwise to co-axially align thecenterline of pin receiving bore 66 with a centerline of thirdorientation bore 64 and then reinserting retention member 44, post outerface 92 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise from the position shown in FIG.12.

Sign orientation post 16 can further include fourth and fifthorientation bores 96, 98 which are oriented at angles α″ and α″′, eachsubstantially equal to angle α. Angles α, α′, α″ and α″′ are hereindescribed as 22½ degree angles, however, any angle up to and including45 degrees can be selected for angles α, α′, α″ and α″′. By removingretention member 44 and rotating sign support post counter-clockwise asviewed in FIG. 12 to co-axially align the centerline of pin receivingbore 66 with a centerline of fourth orientation bore 96 and thenreinserting retention member 44, post outer face 92 is rotated 22½degrees counter-clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 12. Thiscorresponds to the orientation of sign 24 shown in FIG. 10. Similarly,by removing retention member 44 and rotating sign support postcounter-clockwise to co-axially align the centerline of pin receivingbore 66 with a centerline of fifth orientation bore 98 and thenreinserting retention member 44, post outer face 92 is rotated 45degrees counter-clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 12.

When the retention member 44 is received in both pin receiving bore 66and one of the first, second or third orientation bores (60, 62, 64),the sign support tube 14 is oriented at a second angle beta (β) withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the hitch extension tube 20. Secondangle β is calculated from the equation: Second angle β=(90degrees−total angle α). The second angle β can therefore vary dependingon which of the orientation bores retention member 44 is insertedthrough. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, second angle β is 90 degrees withrespect to a longitudinal axis of retention member 44 when received infirst orientation bore 60. Second angle β is 45 degrees with respect tothe longitudinal axis of retention member 44 when retention member 44 isreceived in third orientation bore 64. If either angles α and α′, or α″and α″′ are both 45 degrees, angle β will be zero.

The sign 24 can be positioned in each of a retracted stowed conditionhaving the sign folded and the sign support post 14 in a retractedposition as shown in FIG. 6, a fully deployed non-extended conditionhaving the sign 24 fully deployed to a taught position and the signsupport post 14 in a retracted position as shown in FIG. 8, and a fullydeployed extended condition having sign 24 fully deployed to the taughtposition and the sign support post 14 and the extension/retraction post28 fully axially extended with respect to the hitch extension tube 20 asshown in FIG. 9. In the fully deployed extended condition, sign 24 canalso be rotated with respect to the longitudinal axis 48 of sign supportpost 14 as shown in both FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring to FIG. 13 and again to FIG. 1, a sign mounting adapter system100 is similar to sign mounting adapter system 10, therefore only thedifferences will be further discussed. Sign mounting adapter system 100can be used to support a sign assembly similar to or modified withrespect to support sign assembly 12 using a reduced height sign supportpost 102. According to several embodiments, sign support post 102 isoriented vertically upward and provides for a minimum height of the signassembly 12 for applications where visibility of the sign does notrequire vertical extension for visibility, or for example when anobstruction may prevent use of the maximum height available for signmounting adapter system 10.

Sign support post 102 can be rectangular in shape or other geometricshapes such as tubular, and includes a cavity 104 which permits signsupport post 102 to be axially and rotatably received on atubular-shaped sign orientation post 106. Sign support post 102 isreduced in length or height compared to sign support post 14. Similar tosign support post 14, sign support post 102 is releasably retained atone of multiple orientation angles using a releasable retention assembly18′. Sign orientation post 106 is fixed to a hitch extension tube 108,which is sized to be slidably received in a vehicle hitch assembly ascommonly known. For example, hitch extension tube 108 can be sized to beslidably received in a class 1, class 2, or class 3 hitch design.Retention member 44′ of retention assembly 18′ is removable and isaligned with one of first, second, or third orientation bores 110, 112,114 which are similar to orientation bores 60, 62, 64. Sign 24 (shown inFIG. 1) or a smaller sign (not shown) can be rotated to control theangle of visibility to sign 24 from a person or observer in the area ofsign 24 by axially rotating sign support post 102 with respect to a signsupport post longitudinal axis 116.

With continuing reference to FIG. 13 and again to FIGS. 1-5, signmounting adapter system 100 is further modified with respect to signmounting adapter system 10 by eliminating extension/retraction post 28and first detent member 30. A sign frame 118 is modified from sign frame22 to provide for direct fixed connection of sign frame 118 to signsupport post 102. A surface 120 of sign frame 118 is directly abuttedwith an oppositely directed face 122 of sign support post 102, and aweld joint 124 is created to fixedly connect sign support post 102 tosign frame 118. A pin receiving bore 126 created through opposite walls102 a, 102 b of sign support post 102 is positioned closer to a firstend 127 of sign support post 102 than the corresponding position of pinreceiving bore 66 to minimize the length of both sign support post 102and sign orientation post 106, while providing clearance between signorientation post 106 and releasable bias member 34′. The releasableretention assembly 18′ includes similar components to releasableretention assembly 18 and functions in the same manner when receivedthrough one of the first, second, or third orientation bores 110, 112,114.

Referring to FIG. 14 and again to FIG. 13, an extension tube free end40′ of hitch extension tube 108 has a post extension portion 130 similarto post extension portion 42 extending downwardly from hitch extensiontube 108, which can provide for an additional weld joint connecting signorientation post 106 to hitch extension tube 108. In an assembledcondition of sign mounting adapter system 100 shown, the signorientation post 106 is positioned proximate to extension tube free end40′ to minimize a total length “E” of hitch extension tube 108. A totallength “F” of a mounting assembly 128 having sign support post 102 andsign frame 118 is minimized in the design of sign mounting adaptersystem 100.

Referring to FIG. 15 and again to FIGS. 1 and 13-14, sign frame 118 ofsign mounting adapter system 100 further includes opposed, L-shapedwalls 134, 136 which define a longitudinal cavity 132. Cavity 132 can beused to slidably receive the sign support rod 23 of a sign such as sign24. Cavity 132 is positioned vertically clear of extension tube free end40′ such that the sign support rod 23 when positioned in cavity 132 canextend below hitch extension tube 108 (as shown in phantom in FIG. 14)at any rotated position of sign support post 102 with respect to signorientation post 106 retained by releasable retention assembly 18′. Thebias member 34′ includes a portion 138 that is extendable into andretractable out of cavity 132. Portion 138 when extended into cavity 132acts to releasably engage the sign support rod 23. An adapter systemlength “G” of sign mounting adapter system 100 is equal to or less thanthe corresponding length of sign mounting adapter system 10.

Referring to FIG. 16 and again to FIGS. 1 and 13-15, an adapter systemtotal height “H” of sign mounting adapter system 100 is fixed and lessthan the variable height provided for sign mounting adapter system 10. Abias member width “J” of retention member 44′ can be greater than awidth of hitch extension tube 108 to provide clearance to manuallyconnect and disconnect bale connecting end 52′. With reference again toFIGS. 6 and 16, in the stowed and retracted condition of sign 24 whenconnected to sign mounting adapter system 100, the adapter system totalheight “H” is selected such that the entire sign 24 and the componentsof sign mounting adapter system 100 are positioned entirely below theupper tailgate surface 78 of tailgate 80 of vehicle 76. This positionminimizes wind resistance and therefore minimizes wind load created bysign 24 as vehicle 76 moves from one location to another.

Sign mounting adapter systems 10 and 100 of the present disclosurepermit a sign 24 to be rotated to different axial rotation angles withrespect to a longitudinal axis of each of a sign support post and a signorientation post to suit the position or orientation of the vehicle fromwhich sign 24 is supported. For example, this permits the vehicle 76 tobe temporarily parked on either a right hand side or a left hand side ofa roadway, or the right hand side or the left hand side of anintersection with respect to an observer's vehicle entering theintersection, such that sign 24 is clearly visible to the observer eventhough vehicle 76 is not in the direct travel path of the observer. Signmounting adapter system 10 can therefore be used by constructionvehicles having temporary information signs rotated toward observerstraveling through construction zones. Sign mounting adapter system 10can also be used by emergency service personnel or vehicles in emergencyareas to provide temporary instructions to an observer vehicle travelingthrough the emergency area.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 5,12 and 13, sign orientation posts16, 106 have been previously described herein with reference to acircular post shape. Sign orientation posts 16, 106 can also be createdin other geometric shapes, including but not limited to oval, square,rectangular, and the like, if sufficient clearance is provided betweensign orientation posts 16, 106 and the internal walls of sign supportposts 14 or 102 to allow axial rotation of sign support posts 14 or 102with respect to sign orientation post 16 or 106. It is anticipated thatalternate geometries to the circular shape for sign orientation posts16, 106 can limit the quantity of orientation bores or the angle oforientation bores created through sign orientation post 16, 106. For thesame reasons, if rotating clearances permit, similar alternategeometries for sign support post 14, 102 can also be used.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, according to further embodiments retentionassembly 18 can be provided in multiple versions, including but notlimited to: a nut/bolt combination, a threaded stud welded to the signorientation post 16 with one or more slots created in the sign supportpost 14 receiving the threaded stud, such that the threaded studposition within the slot determines the rotation angle which can bereleasably fixed using a nut; or a detent installed in or on the signorientation post 16 received in one of a plurality of apertures createdin the sign support post 14. Other embodiments of retention assembly 18can include: a threaded nut connected to the sign support post 14 havinga threaded shank member (such as a thumb screw) threaded into the nutand through the sign support post 14 to releasably contact the signorientation post 16, and a welded nut on a lower portion of the signsupport post 14 receiving a threaded and bent rod to releasably providethe angular orientation. Still other embodiments of retention assembly18 can include a raised surface treatment such as a knurling applied tosign orientation post 16 and/or sign support post 14 that together witha threaded fastener such as a thumb screw frictionally and rotatablyorients the sign support post 14 at the desired angular orientation.

Sign mounting adapter systems of the present disclosure offer severaladvantages. By permitting a sign to be axially rotatably oriented withrespect to a support post connected to the rear of a vehicle using astandard hitch mount design, the information provided on the sign can beviewed by observers from different orientation angles than the vehiclesupporting the sign can oriented to. By permitting a sign support postto be axially rotated with respect to a sign orientation post, thevertically configured sign support post and a sign it supports can beaxially co-rotated. By further extension to a fully deployed and fullyextended condition, clearance is provided between the sign and atailgate of the vehicle supporting the sign. By further use of anextension/retraction post 28 slidably received in the sign support post14, a stowed condition of the sign 24 can also be provided whichminimizes sign wind resistance during vehicle travel to parkingposition. This permits the sign assembly 12 to be retained in itsconnected condition with the vehicle either during transportation of thevehicle or for deployment of the sign.

The foregoing description of various embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

1. A sign mounting adapter system, comprising: a hitch extension tube; asign orientation post connected to the hitch extension tube; and a signsupport post co-axially disposed on and rotatably supported by the signorientation post to permit selection of an axial angle of rotation ofthe sign support post with respect to the sign orientation post.
 2. Thesign mounting adapter system of claim 1, further including multipleorientation bores individually extending through the sign orientationpost, each oriented at an angle with respect to a proximate one of theorientation bores.
 3. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 2,further including a receiving bore created in the sign support postaxially alignable with a selected one of the multiple orientation bores.4. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 3, further including aretention assembly releasably and co-axially received in the receivingbore and the selected one of the orientation bores, the retentionassembly operating to releasably connect the sign support post to thesign orientation post.
 5. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 2,wherein the sign orientation post has a longitudinal axis co-axiallyaligned with a sign support post longitudinal axis.
 6. The sign mountingadapter system of claim 5, wherein each of the orientation bores isoriented perpendicular to the sign orientation post longitudinal axis.7. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 3, wherein the receivingbore is oriented perpendicular to a sign support post longitudinal axis.8. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 1, wherein the signorientation post is fixed to and oriented perpendicular to the hitchextension tube.
 9. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 1, whereinthe hitch extension tube is releasably connected to a hitch assembly ofa vehicle such that the hitch extension tube extends horizontally andboth the sign orientation post and sign support post extend verticallyupward from the hitch extension tube.
 10. The sign mounting adaptersystem of claim 1, further including a sign assembly having a flexiblematerial sign extendable therefrom, the sign positioned in each of aretracted stowed condition having the sign folded and the sign supportpost in an axially downward retracted position, a fully deployednon-extended condition having the sign fully deployed to a taughtposition and the sign support post in the retracted position, and afully deployed extended condition having the sign fully deployed to thetaught position and the sign support post fully axially extended withrespect to the hitch extension tube.
 11. The sign mounting adaptersystem of claim 1, further including a sign assembly having a rigid signsupported therefrom.
 12. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 1,further including a retention assembly releasably connecting the signsupport post to the sign orientation post at the axial angle of rotationusing at least a threaded member.
 13. A sign mounting adapter system,comprising: a hitch extension tube; a sign orientation post connected tothe hitch extension tube; a sign support post co-axially disposed on androtatably supported by the sign orientation post to permit selection ofan axial angle of rotation of the sign support post with respect to thesign orientation post; and a sign frame fixed to the sign support posthaving a longitudinal cavity sized to slidably receive a sign supportrod of a sign member.
 14. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 13,further including multiple orientation bores individually extendingthrough the sign orientation post.
 15. The sign mounting adapter systemof claim 14, further including a bore extending through opposed walls ofthe sign support post, the bore being axially alignable with a selectedone of the multiple orientation bores to determine the axial angle ofrotation.
 16. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 14, wherein eachof the orientation bores is oriented at an angle with respect to aproximate one of the orientation bores.
 17. The sign mounting adaptersystem of claim 13, wherein the hitch extension tube includes anextension tube free end, the cavity being positioned vertically clear ofthe extension tube free end such that the sign support rod whenpositioned in the cavity is extendable clear of the extension tube freeend and below the hitch extension tube.
 18. The sign mounting adaptersystem of claim 13, further including a surface of the sign framedirectly abutted with an oppositely directed face of the sign supportpost, and a weld joint created to fixedly connect the sign support postto the sign frame.
 19. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 13,further including a bias member having a portion extending into thecavity to releasably engage the sign support rod.
 20. The sign mountingadapter system of claim 13, wherein the sign frame further includesopposed L-shaped walls which define the longitudinal cavity therebetweenand which further slidably retain the sign support rod.
 21. A signmounting adapter system, comprising: a sign orientation post having asign orientation post longitudinal axis; a sign support post co-axiallyand rotatably received on the sign orientation post, the sign supportpost having a sign support post longitudinal axis co-axially alignedwith the sign orientation post longitudinal axis and a retentionassembly receiving bore; multiple orientation bores extending throughthe sign orientation post, each oriented at an angle with respect to aproximate one of the orientation bores; and a retention assemblyreleasably and co-axially received in the retention assembly receivingbore and one of the orientation bores to releasably connect the signsupport post to the sign orientation post and to permit selection of anaxial angle of rotation of the sign support post with respect to thesign orientation post.
 22. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 21,wherein each of the orientation bores is further oriented at a secondangle with respect to the hitch extension tube, the second angle being amultiple of the first angle.
 23. The sign mounting adapter system ofclaim 21, wherein the sign orientation post is oriented perpendicular tothe hitch extension tube.
 24. The sign mounting adapter system of claim21, wherein the retention assembly receiving bore is orientedperpendicular to the sign support post longitudinal axis.
 25. The signmounting adapter system of claim 21, wherein each of the orientationbores is oriented perpendicular to the orientation post longitudinalaxis.
 26. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 21, furtherincluding a hitch extension tube, the sign orientation post fixedlyconnected to the sign orientation post and oriented perpendicular to thehitch extension tube.
 27. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 21,wherein the sign support post is rotatable in either a clockwise or acounterclockwise direction.
 28. A sign mounting adapter system,comprising: a hitch extension tube adapted for releasable connection toa hitch receiver of a vehicle; a sign orientation post fixed to andoriented perpendicular to the hitch extension tube, the sign orientationpost having a sign orientation post longitudinal axis; a sign supportpost co-axially and rotatably received on the sign orientation post, thesign support post having a sign support post longitudinal axisco-axially aligned with the sign orientation post longitudinal axis anda pin receiving bore oriented perpendicular to the sign support postlongitudinal axis; multiple orientation bores extending through the signorientation post, individual ones of the orientation bores oriented atan angle with respect to a proximate one of the orientation bores andeach of the orientation bores oriented perpendicular to the orientationpost longitudinal axis; a pin releasably and co-axially received in theretention assembly receiving bore and one of the orientation bores, thepin operating to releasably connect the sign support post to the signorientation post and to permit selection of an axial angle of rotationof the sign support post with respect to the sign orientation post; anda sign connected to the sign support post and positioned in either astowed or a deployed condition, the deployed condition having a signplanar face oriented at a second angle with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the hitch extension tube.
 29. The sign mounting adapter systemof claim 28, wherein an adapter system total height is selected suchthat both the sign and the hitch extension tube sign mounting adaptersystem are positioned entirely below an upper tailgate surface of apickup truck tailgate.
 30. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 28,wherein the pin is included in a releasable fastener assembly, thereleasable fastener assembly further including: a pin head integrallyconnected to the pin; a bale member connected to the pin head; and abale connecting end releasably positioned at a free end of the pinpreventing the pin from sliding freely out of the retention assemblyreceiving bore.
 31. The sign mounting adapter system of claim 28,wherein the second angle is calculated from the equation: secondangle=(90 degrees−first angle).